Four designers and their cars: The mind behind the beauty

Ian Callum discusses the Jaguar F-Type.

Handout, Jaguar

Here are four of the brilliant minds behind some of the world's most beautiful cars

by
Jodi Lai | January 23, 2014

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Car designers arguably have one of the most difficult jobs in the world. They are tasked with the daunting job of bringing their ideas to life, but not only do the ideas have to be beautiful, they have to make money.

These days, concepts cars can’t just be made for kicks or to show off, because the cars have to be functional and relate back to a car that will eventually make it into production. It’s too expensive otherwise, and the investment needed to bring a sketch into the flesh requires a lot of time and money that many automakers can’t spare.

And then they are faced with the problem of red tape and bureaucracy. Designers often have to deal with company executives, engineers and accountants who don’t always see eye-to-eye with their vision for a car. Often times, by the time the car makes it into production, the end product looks nothing like what the designer imagined.

But here, we want to give credit where it’s due, because the following designers have done yeoman work in bringing their ideas to life and the results were stunning.

Ian Callum, director of design, Jaguar

Ian Callum, Jaguar head designer.

Handout, Jaguar

Ian Callum, director of design, Jaguar was on hand to celebrate the global debut of the 2015 Jaguar F-TYPE R Coupe.

Neilson Barnard, Getty Images for Jaguar Land Rove

2013 Jaguar XKR-S

Handout, Jaguar

2002-2003: Aston Martin DB7 Zagato

Handout, Aston Martin

2001-2005: Aston Martin V12 Vanquish

Handout, Aston Martin

The C-X75 really is too amazing not to go into production.

Handout, Driving

Truly one of the geniuses of modern car design, Ian Callum (who is Scottish) has been pumping out hit after beautiful hit for Jaguar. This master of auto design seems to have an inherent understanding of proportions and what a fast British car is supposed to look like. Never forgetting Jaguar heritage while at the same time not being afraid to break new ground on design, the visionary Callum can be considered the maestro of his field.

Watch Ian Callum discuss how the F-Type was designed below:

Take the stunning F-Type, for example. “Man, that F-Type is hideous,” said no one ever. The F-Type Coupe and Convertible are universally lauded for being gorgeous and they both stunned the world when they were unveiled.

Callum studied transportation design, industrial design and has a Masters in automotive design.

Fun trivia: Callum’s younger brother, Moray Callum is also an automotive designer. He has worked for Chrysler, Citroen, Mazda and is currently employed by Ford.

Horacio Pagani, founder of Pagani

Horacio Pagani

Handout, Pagani

Horacio Pagani and the Lamborghini Countach Evoluzione concept.

Handout, Pagani

The Huayra is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 developed by Mercedes' AMG division. Pumping out 730 horsepower and 720 lb-ft of torque, the Huayra sports two smaller turbochargers, meaning turbo lag is non-existent.

Nick Tragianis, Postmedia News

Horacio Pagani, the father of the Huayra, drew inspiration from a woman's eyelash in designing the side mirrors.

Nick Tragianis, Postmedia News

The skeleton shifter is arguaby the most distinctive of the Huayra's interior appointments. We love it.

Nick Tragianis, Postmedia News

Pagani Huayra

Horacio Pagani, the Argentinian designer behind the flamboyantly excessive and exclusive Italian supercar brand, has an interesting story. Before he founded Pagani, he worked for Lamborghini as the chief engineer, where he designed the Countach Evoluzione concept. He wanted an autoclave so he could use more carbon fibre in the Countach, but Lamborghini officials said no, so he bought his own, then left the company to make his own supercar and start his own carbon fibre manufacturing company. He had the last laugh, because Lamborghini continued to give him contracts for design work.

Before greatness, though, Pagani got a diploma at technical school before studying industrial design and mechanical engineering (his father was also a baker). And then he designed furniture. Seriously. Pagani went from designing orthopedic chairs to penning the Zonda and Huayra, two of the most outrageous cars in the world. His signature is also emblazoned on the side of each Pagani.

Marek Reichman, director of design, Aston Martin

Marek Reichman, chief designer of Aston Martin.

Handout, Aston Martin

Aston Martin One-77.

Aston Martin, handout, CNS

Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez says he discontinued the Cygnet because Toyota is considering doing the same for it's iQ city car.

Handout, Aston Martin

2014 Aston Martin Rapide S.

Handout, Aston Martin

2008 Aston Martin DBS

Handout, Aston Martin

This list would not be complete without Marek Reichman, the man behind Aston Martin, arguably the maker of some of the most beautiful cars in the world, including the incredible One-77.

When you listen to Reichman (who comes from England) discuss the design of a car, he points out things that we wouldn’t even notice and he does so in a way that really underscores his passion and expertise. He revels in the little details that make an Aston Martin an Aston Martin, and puts great emphasis on creating a car that looks like it’s always thrilling its driver. In an interview with Top Gear, he says that there were periods of time during the One-77 design that felt like “Christmas every day,” so you know he loves what he does. And it really shows.

Reichman studied art, industrial and product design before moving on to vehicle design.

Other notable cars Reichman designed include the Aston Martin DBS (featured in the James Bond movie Quantum of Solace), Vanquish, Cygnet (really!) and four-door Rapide, Lincoln MKX Concept and Rolls-Royce Phantom.

Tom Peters, design director, General Motors

Tom Peters, design director, GM.

Handout, General Motors

GM is about to issue two recalls for the 2015 Corvette Stingray.

Handout, GM

2001 Pontiac Aztek

Handout, GM

The Chevy Camaro Z/28 could return very soon with a 7.0L V8 under the hood once again.

Handout, GM

2014 Chevrolet Silverado High Country

Nick Tragianis, Postmedia News

Cadillac Sixteen Concept.

File, Cadillac

Buick Velite Concept

Handout, Buick

This American designer from GM is a special case. He is responsible for designing one of the ugliest cars in history (the Pontiac Aztek), yet still finds himself employed and designing beautiful cars like the new seventh-generation (C7) 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.

Although his designs (even the non-Aztek ones) aren’t immediate hits with everyone, you have to admit he has great vision. He also won a lifetime achievement award from his alma mater, Art Center College of Design, which was presented to him by Jay Leno. Not as daring as other designers, Peters’ designs are more pragmatic, which probably comes from GM’s need to make sellable cars and not expensive pie-in-the-sky dreams.